According to the United Nations (UN), Boko Haram is behind at least 18 attacks in Northern Nigeria in the past two weeks, and they don’t show any sign of letting up. The rising levels of violence are worrying and threaten the security of West Africa.

We have been worried for a long time.

The U.N. special envoy for West Africa, Mr Djinnit, told the U.N. Security Council the insecurity, coupled with the mounting tension fed by politicians leading up to the elections in 2015 was even more alarming.

“The level of violence against civilians in Nigeria continues to escalate, it is disheartening to note that within the last two weeks at least 18 attacks attributed to Boko Haram have been conducted resulting in the tragic death of innocent civilians and displacement of peoples,” Djinnit said.

“The Boko Haram crisis is now affecting security in the sub region,” he added.

“All efforts should be made to address the insurgency and insecurity, the present situation underscores the paramount need for the Nigerian political class to forge a unified stand in confronting the persisting insecurity,” Djinnit said.

Djinnit also said, “It is essential that West African countries close ranks and establish effective strategic and operational cooperation mechanisms to address this threat which runs the risk of destabilising the whole Sahara-Sahel region from the Atlantic to the Indian oceans,” he stated. “Their efforts should be strongly backed by the rest of the international community and the United Nations.”

General elections will hold in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Nigeria in 2015.

Djinnit said that the elections would hold in “highly polarised societies and within a context of deep political divides and controversies related to ongoing or potential initiatives to amend constitutional provisions related to presidential term limits.”

“UNOWA will continue to work closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other stakeholders to assist in efforts to prevent political differences from developing into violent crises and in providing electoral assistance towards consolidating democracy in the region”, the envoy said.

“Indeed, in view of the prevailing fragility in the region, every effort should be made to ensure that democracy and stability are pursued with equal commitment, as they are mutually reinforcing.”